The Ebbing Lap of Time, Ludovico Einaudi.

Despite the omnipresence of the epithet neo-classical, there are very few active composers to transcend the inherently stark divide between the contemporary and the classical – irrespective of how progressive either may be deemed. Dustin O’Halloran is one such man, as of course is Steve Reich. Trent Reznor, John Roberts, and Simon Jeffes could be considered alternatives coming from the opposing perspective though it’s that great Maestro Morricone who is and was one so far ahead of his time that the world is still arguably yet to hurry up to his pacemaking speeds. Lui era di Roma; Ludovico Einaudi, invece, è di Torino and Einaudi is, to my mind, compatriot Morricone’s in many respects closest contemporary. Both profit greatly from that enticing predilection for the expansive, eyes-wide-open instrumental that’s perpetually tinged with an overwhelmingly sepia melancholia; two sets of keen ears attuned to the subtlest, though still somehow insistent melodies. They’re two of a kind, and we’re extremely fortunate to have both more or less active and momentarily about us in this one time. And indeed we’re yet more so to have news of a forthcoming Einaudi full-length, entitled In a Time Lapse, which is due a January 21st release. His twelfth studio effort, its lead track Time Lapse is a slow burning swell of broody plonk, spectral tinker, and keening violin strings that rustle just beneath the surface to twang away at the internal organs and triumph in emotive adversity, interweaving the traditional hues of classical with the current as it entangles itself with the old heartstrings all the while. Inevitably, it’s the sort of six-minute wonder that could, and should go on to soundtrack the most breathtaking of slo-mo time-lapse vids though for the time being, it’s one we’d advocate allowing to swash about your ear canals a while.